Battery configurations having through-pack fasteners

ABSTRACT

Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first circuit board defining a plurality of apertures through the first circuit board. The batteries may include a battery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupled with the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells. The battery stack may define a plurality of apertures axially aligned with a corresponding aperture through the first circuit board. The batteries may include a second circuit board that defines a plurality of apertures through the second circuit board. The batteries may include a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through a separate channel of the plurality of channels. The batteries may include a plurality of conductive extensions electrically coupling each battery cell of the battery stack with one or more fasteners of the plurality of fasteners.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present technology is related to the following application,concurrently filed 8 Sep. 2020, and titled: “Battery ConfigurationsHaving Through-Pack Fasteners” (Attorney docket number: 1162504), thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to batteries and battery components. Morespecifically, the present technology relates to battery configurationsutilizing fasteners extending through active regions of the batteries.

BACKGROUND

In batteries and battery cells, configurations are often limited by theshape of the cell itself. This may impact packaging, monitoring, and ahost of other related aspects. Improved designs and processes areneeded.

SUMMARY

The present technology relates to energy storage devices, includingbattery cells and batteries, which may include lithium-ion batterieshaving a variety of shapes including stacked cells, and which may be orinclude bipolar batteries as well as batteries stacked in anyorientation including vertical and horizontal, for example. Thesedevices may include current collectors configured based on a z-directiontransmission of current through the collectors and cell components,although current collectors configured based on an xy-directionaltransmission of current may also benefit from the present designs. Thebatteries and cells may include a host of features and materialconfigurations as will be described throughout the present disclosure.

Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the presenttechnology may include a first circuit board defining a plurality ofapertures through the first circuit board. The batteries may include abattery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupledwith the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a pluralityof battery cells. The battery stack may define a plurality of aperturesthrough an active region of the battery stack. Each aperture of theplurality of apertures through the battery stack may be axially alignedwith a corresponding aperture through the first circuit board. Thebatteries may include a second circuit board overlying the battery stackand electrically coupled with the battery stack. The second circuitboard may define a plurality of apertures through the second circuitboard. Each aperture of the plurality of apertures through the secondcircuit board may be axially aligned with a corresponding aperturethrough the battery stack and the first circuit board to define aplurality of channels through the first circuit board, the batterystack, and the second circuit board. The batteries may include aplurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through a separatechannel of the plurality of channels. The batteries may include aplurality of conductive extensions electrically coupling each batterycell of the battery stack with one or more fasteners of the plurality offasteners.

In some embodiments, each battery cell of the battery stack includes ananode current collector including a polymeric material. The batterycells may include an anode active material disposed on the anode currentcollector. The battery cells may include a cathode current collectorincluding a polymeric material. The battery cells may include a cathodeactive material disposed on the cathode current collector. The batterycells may include a separator disposed between the anode active materialand the cathode active material. The batteries may include circuitrycoupled with the plurality of fasteners and configured to receivevoltage measurements from the battery stack. Each fastener may includean insulative housing and a plurality of conductive pins extendingthrough the insulative housing. Each conductive pin of the plurality ofconductive pins may be at least partially exposed through the insulativehousing to contact a conductive extension of the plurality of conductiveextensions. Each battery cell of the battery stack may include at leasttwo conductive extensions. Each conductive extension of the at least twoconductive extensions may couple the battery cell with a separatefastener of the plurality of fasteners.

The plurality of conductive pins may be distributed circumferentiallyabout the insulative housing. Each conductive pin of the plurality ofconductive pins may be exposed at a different height along the fastenerfrom each other conductive pin of the plurality of conductive pins. Anamount of each conductive pin of the plurality of conductive pinsexposed through the insulative housing may correspond to a thicknessgreater than or equal to a thickness of two cells of the battery stack.Each fastener may include a set of annular conductive paths extendingvertically through the battery stack. A radially outermost annularconductive path may couple with each battery cell of the battery stack.The plurality of conductive extensions may include conductive tracescoupling the radially outermost annular conductive path with oneradially inward annular conductive path. Each fastener of the pluralityof fasteners may include a set of printed circuit boards defining theset of annular conductive paths and the plurality of conductiveextensions.

Some embodiments of the present technology may encompass batteries. Thebatteries may include a first circuit board defining a plurality ofapertures through the first circuit board. The first circuit board maybe operatively coupled at a first electrical potential. The batteriesmay include a first battery stack overlying the first circuit board andelectrically coupled with the first circuit board. The first batterystack may include a plurality of battery cells. The first battery stackmay define a plurality of apertures through an active region of thefirst battery stack. Each aperture of the plurality of apertures throughthe first battery stack may be axially aligned with a correspondingaperture through the first circuit board. The batteries may include asecond circuit board overlying the first battery stack and electricallycoupled with the first battery stack. The second circuit board maydefine a plurality of apertures through the second circuit board. Eachaperture of the plurality of apertures through the second circuit boardmay be axially aligned with a corresponding aperture through the firstcircuit board, the second circuit board may be operatively coupled at asecond electrical potential.

The batteries may include a second battery stack overlying the secondcircuit board and electrically coupled with the second circuit board,the second battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells. Thesecond battery stack may define a plurality of apertures through anactive region of the second battery stack. Each aperture of theplurality of apertures through the second battery stack may be axiallyaligned with a corresponding aperture through the first circuit board.The batteries may include a third circuit board overlying the secondbattery stack and electrically coupled with the second battery stack,the third circuit board may define a plurality of apertures through thethird circuit board. Each aperture of the plurality of apertures throughthe third circuit board may be axially aligned with a correspondingaperture through the first circuit board. The third circuit board may beoperatively coupled at the first electrical potential. A plurality ofchannels may be defined by the plurality of apertures through each ofthe first circuit board, the first battery stack, the second circuitboard, the second battery stack, and the third circuit board. Thebatteries may include a plurality of fasteners, with each fastenerextending through a separate channel of the plurality of channels.

In some embodiments, each battery cell of the first battery stack andeach battery cell of the second battery stack may include an anodecurrent collector including a polymeric material. The battery cells mayinclude an anode active material disposed on the anode currentcollector. The battery cells may include a cathode current collectorcomprising a polymeric material. The battery cells may include a cathodeactive material disposed on the cathode current collector. The batteriesmay include a separator disposed between the anode active material andthe cathode active material. Each fastener may electrically couple abattery cell of the first battery stack with a battery cell of thesecond battery stack. Each fastener may include an insulative housingand a plurality of conductive pins extending through the insulativehousing. Each conductive pin of the plurality of conductive pins may beat least partially exposed through the insulative housing to provide aconductive contact. Each conductive pin of the plurality of conductivepins may be at least partially exposed through the insulative housing ata first location adjacent a battery cell of the first battery stack andmay be at least partially exposed through the insulative housing at asecond location adjacent a battery cell of the second battery stack.

The first battery stack and the second battery stack may include anidentical number of battery cells. Each battery cell of the firstbattery stack may be electrically coupled in parallel with acorresponding battery cell of the second battery stack. The plurality ofconductive pins may be distributed circumferentially about theinsulative housing. Each conductive pin of the plurality of conductivepins may be exposed at a different height along the fastener from eachother conductive pin of the plurality of conductive pins. An amount ofeach conductive pin of the plurality of conductive pins exposed throughthe insulative housing may be electrically insulated from all but onebattery cell of the first battery stack and the second battery stack.The batteries may include circuitry coupled with the plurality offasteners and configured to receive voltage measurements from the firstbattery stack.

Some embodiments of the present technology may encompass batteries. Thebatteries may include a first circuit board defining a plurality ofapertures through the first circuit board. The batteries may include abattery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupledwith the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a pluralityof battery cells. The battery stack may define a plurality of aperturesthrough an active region of the battery stack. Each aperture of theplurality of apertures through the battery stack may be axially alignedwith a corresponding aperture through the first circuit board. Thebatteries may include a second circuit board overlying the battery stackand electrically coupled with the battery stack. The second circuitboard may define a plurality of apertures through the second circuitboard. Each aperture of the plurality of apertures through the secondcircuit board may be axially aligned with a corresponding aperturethrough the battery stack and the first circuit board to define aplurality of channels through the first circuit board, the batterystack, and the second circuit board. The batteries may include aplurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through a separatechannel of the plurality of channels. Each fastener may include aninsulative housing and a plurality of conductive pins extending throughthe insulative housing. Each conductive pin of the plurality ofconductive pins may be at least partially exposed through the insulativehousing. The batteries may include a plurality of conductive extensionselectrically coupling each battery cell of the battery stack with one ormore fasteners of the plurality of fasteners.

Such technology may provide numerous benefits over conventionaltechnology. For example, the present devices may provide improvedcontrol over cell swelling. Additionally, batteries according to someembodiments of the present technology may facilitate improved heattransfer and cell monitoring utilizing fasteners according to someembodiments of the present technology. These and other embodiments,along with many of their advantages and features, are described in moredetail in conjunction with the below description and attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the disclosedembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an energy storagedevice according to some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a current collectoraccording to some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic exploded view of a battery according to someembodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial view of a compression plate accordingto some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic partial view of a compression plate accordingto some embodiments of the present technology.

FIGS. 6A-6D show schematic illustrations of batteries according to someembodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a batteryaccording to some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a battery cellwithin a battery according to some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a batteryaccording to some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of aspects of a fastener according tosome embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of conductive pins according to someembodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of aspects of a fastener according tosome embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic partial view of aspects of a fasteneraccording to some embodiments of the present technology.

FIGS. 14A-14E show schematic views of aspects of a fastener according tosome embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 15 shows a partial schematic cross-sectional view of aspects of abattery according to some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 16 shows a partial schematic cross-sectional view of aspects of abattery according to some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic exploded view of a battery according to someembodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 18 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery according tosome embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 19 shows a schematic view of aspects of a fastener according tosome embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic view of conductive pins according to someembodiments of the present technology.

Several of the figures are included as schematics. It is to beunderstood that the figures are for illustrative purposes, and are notto be considered of scale unless specifically stated to be of scale.Additionally, as schematics, the figures are provided to aidcomprehension and may not include all aspects or information compared torealistic representations, and may include exaggerated material forillustrative purposes.

In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the samenumerical reference label. Further, various components of the same typemay be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter thatdistinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If only thefirst numerical reference label is used in the specification, thedescription is applicable to any one of the similar components and/orfeatures having the same first numerical reference label irrespective ofthe letter suffix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Batteries, battery cells, and more generally energy storage devices, maybe grouped in packs, where a battery may include multiple battery cellscoupled together to provide a desired voltage or capacity. Whenbatteries are connected in this way, they are often charged anddischarged together. When battery cells are characterized by extendeddimensions, monitoring voltage, temperature, and other cellcharacteristics in locations around the cell can be challenged. Forexample, overall footprint of the battery may suffer due to theincorporation of sensors or probes extending into different regions ofthe cells, which may be incorporated about the exterior of the cells.This may lower both the volumetric and the gravimetric energy density ofthe battery formed.

Additionally, battery cells may swell during operation due to normalconditions of the cell. When battery stacks include tens or hundreds ofbattery cells, this swell may affect a number of different conditionsand characteristics of the battery, and may affect packaging. Tocompensate for the internal swell of the battery cells, packaging orenclosures may be reinforced in any number of ways. However, whenbattery cells are characterized by extended lateral dimensions,compensating for swell forces at locations further from enclosurecouplings may be challenged. For example, although a lid and housing maybe secured adequately about the perimeter, in a central region thecompensation may be limited to the structural characteristics of thelid. Accordingly, as swell forces may increase with increased numbers ofbattery cells, compensating for this force may require increasedthickness of the lid to limit deformation in regions further fromcoupling locations. This compensation again may reduce volumetric andgravimetric energy density of the battery based on thicker components.

The present technology overcomes these issues by incorporating fastenersthat extend through the active region of the battery cells. Thefasteners may facilitate reductions in external structural componentthickness, while having a limited reduction on active materialincorporation in the battery cells. This may increase battery energydensity, while improving pack footprint. Additionally, the fasteners mayprovide access throughout the battery to access any cell within thestack. This may facilitate monitoring of cell activity, and mayfacilitate thermal management and other operational aspects as will bedescribed below.

Although the remaining portions of the description will routinelyreference lithium-ion batteries, it will be readily understood by theskilled artisan that the technology is not so limited. The presentdesigns may be employed with any number of battery or energy storagedevices, including other rechargeable and primary, or non-rechargeable,battery types, as well as electrochemical capacitors also known assupercapacitors or ultracapacitors. Moreover, the present technology maybe applicable to batteries and energy storage devices used in any numberof technologies that may include, without limitation, phones and mobiledevices, handheld electronic devices, laptops and other computers,appliances, heavy machinery, transportation equipment includingautomobiles, water-faring vessels, air travel equipment, and spacetravel equipment, as well as any other device that may use batteries orbenefit from the discussed designs. Accordingly, the disclosure andclaims are not to be considered limited to any particular examplediscussed, but can be utilized broadly with any number of devices thatmay exhibit some or all of the electrical or chemical characteristics ofthe discussed examples.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of an energy storagedevice according to embodiments of the present technology. The energystorage devices may include a single current collector or coupledcurrent collectors. The energy storage devices may operate in aconventional manner with regard to electronic flow across or throughmaterial layers, such as providing electronic mobility across anxy-plane of the current collectors. Additionally, the described devicesmay operate by electronic flow through the structure in a z-directionthrough individual cells as opposed to via tabbed current collectors asdescribed above for conventional batteries, where current is deliveredlaterally across a current collector to a tab, which may be accessed todeliver current from the cell.

As illustrated, the stacked battery 100 may include a stack ofelectrochemical cells C1, C2, C3, and C4 between end plates 102 and 104.End plates 102 and 104 may be metal current collector plates, which canserve both electrical and mechanical functions. In some embodiments, endplates 102 and 104 can be support plates that form part of an externalhousing of the stacked battery. End plates 102 and 104 may also providemechanical support within a housing of the stacked battery. Some or allof the support plates may be electrically conductive, and there may be aterminal within the support plate that is electrically connected to theend plate. In embodiments an additional plate similar to end plates 102and 104 may be disposed within the stack of cells, such as between twocells. This configuration including an additional plate may providestructural rigidity, and the additional plate may also preformelectronic functions similar to end plates 102, 104. End plates 102 and104 may act as positive and negative terminals of the battery. The cellsmay pass current in the z-direction through individual cells to the endplates, which may transfer current in any direction across the plate andfrom the battery.

The stack of electrochemical or battery cells may include any number ofelectrochemical cells depending on the selected voltage for the stackedbattery 100, along with the individual voltage of each individualelectrochemical cell. The cell stack may be arranged with as many or asfew electrochemical cells in series as desired, as well as withintervening plates for support and current transfer. For example,batteries according to some embodiments of the present technology mayinclude greater than or about 5 battery cells, and may include greaterthan or about 10, greater than or about 20, greater than or about 50,greater than or about 100, greater than or about 200, greater than orabout 500, or more individual cells in a battery. The cells C may bepositioned adjacent, e.g. abutting, one another in some configurations.Each electrochemical cell C may include a cathode 110 and an anode 120,where the cathode 110 and anode 120 may be separated by separator 130between the cathode and anode. Between the anode 120 of cell C1 and thecathode of adjacent cell C2 may be a stacked current collector 150. Thestacked current collector 150 may form part of C1 and C2. On one side,stacked current collector 150 may be connected to the seal 140 of C1 andconnected on an opposing side to the seal 140 of C2.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, stacked current collector 150may include a first current collector 152 and a second current collector154. In embodiments one or both of the current collectors may include ametal or a non-metal material, such as a polymer or composite. As shownin the figure, in some embodiments the first current collector 152 andsecond current collector 154 can be different materials. In someembodiments, the first current collector 152 may be a material selectedbased on the potential of the anode 120, such as copper or any othersuitable metal, as well as a non-metal material including a polymer. Thesecond current collector may be a material selected based on thepotential of the cathode 110, such as aluminum or other suitable metals,as well as a non-metal material including a polymer. In other words, thematerials for the first and second current collectors can be selectedbased on electrochemical compatibility with the anode and cathode activematerials used.

The first and second current collectors can be made of any materialknown in the art. For example, copper, aluminum, or stainless steel maybe used, as well as composite materials having metallic aspects, andnon-metallic materials including polymers. In some instances the metalsor non-metals used in the first and second current collector can be thesame or different. The materials selected for the anode and cathodeactive materials can be any suitable battery materials. For example, theanode material can be silicon, graphite, carbon, a tin alloy, lithiummetal, a lithium containing material, such as lithium titanium oxide(LTO), or other suitable materials that can form an anode in a batterycell. Additionally, for example, the cathode material can be alithium-containing material. In some embodiments, the lithium-containingmaterial can be a lithium metal oxide, such as lithium cobalt oxide,lithium manganese oxide, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, lithiumnickel cobalt aluminum oxide, or lithium titanate, while in otherembodiments, the lithium-containing material can be a lithium ironphosphate, or other suitable materials that can form a cathode in abattery cell.

The first and second current collectors may have any suitable thickness,and may have a thickness that allows for a seal to be formed andprovides suitable mechanical stability to prevent failure, such asbreakage of the layers, during anticipated usage of the stacked battery.Additionally, the thickness of the current collectors can besufficiently thin to allow for bending and flexing in the separationregion to accommodate expansion anticipated during cycling of thestacked battery, including, for example, up to 10% expansion in thez-direction.

Turning to FIG. 2, the stacked current collector 150 may have aconnection region 153 where the first current collector 152 and secondcurrent collector 154 may be connected, and a gap region 155 at theperipheral ends of the collector 150. In the connection region 153, thefirst current collector and second current collector may be in directcontact or otherwise joined to be electrically-conductive. In someembodiments, the first current collector and second current collectormay be directly connected, while in other embodiments the first currentcollector and second current collector may be indirectly connected via aconductive material. To form the connection region 153, the firstcurrent collector 152 and the second current collector 154 may belaminated together. Additionally, the connection region 153 may becreated by welding the first current collector 152 and the secondcurrent collector 154 together. The connection region 153 may also becreated by using an adhesive, which may be electrically conductive,between the first current collector 152 and the second current collector154. In other embodiments, the connection region 153 may be created bythe wetting that can occur between the materials of the first currentcollector 152 and the second current collector 154.

In the gap region 155, the peripheral ends of the first currentcollector 152 and the second current collector 154 may be spaced apartand moveable relative to each other. As such, there may be a separationdistance between the first and second current collectors, which mayincrease as the electrochemical cell swells. In some embodiments, thespaced apart peripheral ends of the first current collector 152 and thesecond current collector 154 may be of a length that is sufficient toaccommodate an anticipated expansion of the individual electrochemicalcells of the stacked battery during cycling of the battery. Theperipheral ends of the current collectors 152 a and 154 a may have alength L, as shown in FIG. 2, which may be long enough that up to or atleast about 10% expansion in the z-direction can be accommodated.

As shown in FIG. 1, each cell C1, C2, C3, and C4, also includes a seal140, which, with the current collector layers, may electrochemicallyisolate the electrochemical cells from each other. Thus, eachcathode-anode pair may be electrochemically sealed and isolated fromneighboring electrochemical cells. Because the current collectors 152and 154 may be separated at the peripheral ends, separate seals 140 canbe formed on opposing sides, such as a top and bottom, of the stackedcurrent collector 150. The seals 140 may be the same or differentmaterials, and each seal 140 may also be a laminate, composite, orcoupling of two or more materials in embodiments.

The seal material may be able to bond with the first and second layersof the stacked current collector to prevent electrolyte leakage. Theseal material may be a polymer, an epoxy, or other suitableelectrically-insulating material that can bond with first and secondcurrent collectors to create a seal, which may be a hermetic seal. Insome embodiments, the polymer may be polypropylene, polyethylene,polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyimide,or any other suitable polymer that may bond with the first and secondcurrent collectors of the stacked current collector to form a hermeticseal and may also provide resistance to moisture ingress. Theelectrolyte may be a solid, a gel, or a liquid in embodiments. The sealmay electrochemically isolate each electrochemical cell by hermeticallysealing the cell, thereby preventing ions in the electrolyte fromescaping to a neighboring electrochemical cell. The seal material may beany material providing adequate bonding with the metal layers such thatthe seal may be maintained through a predetermined period of time orbattery usage.

The separator may be wetted with the electrolyte, such as a fluidelectrolyte or gel electrolyte, to incorporate the electrolyte into thestacked battery. Alternatively, a gel electrolyte may coat theseparator. In still further alternatives, a gel electrolyte may coat thefirst metal layer and/or second metal layer before combination.Additionally, the electrolyte may be blended with particles of electrodeactive material. In various embodiments, incorporating the electrolyteinto the components of the stacked battery may reduce gassing in thestacked battery. In variations that include a flexible seal, the stackedbattery may accommodate gas resulting from degassing.

The individual electrochemical cells may be formed in any suitablemanner. In some embodiments, the cathode 110, the anode 120, and theseparator 130 may be preassembled. A first current collector 152 maythen be connected to the anode while a second current collector 154 maybe connected to the cathode to create a cell. The seal material may bedisposed between the first current collector 152 and the second currentcollector 154 to form seals 140. Finally, the peripheral ends of thesealed electrochemical cell may be further taped to frame the cell.Tapes 145, as well as other coatings, sealing, or material layers, maybe disposed around the outer perimeter of the metal layers and seals.The tape 145 may be substituted with ceramic or polymeric materials.Tape 145 may be included for various reasons including to preventshorting to adjacent layers or to surrounding conductive surfaces withinthe device, to provide improved electrochemical or chemical stability,and to provide mechanical strength.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary stacked battery design accordingto the present technology. Additional configurations other thanillustrated, or as variations on the designs, are also encompassed bythe present technology. For example, certain embodiments may not includean additional seal material, and first current collector 152 and secondcurrent collector 154 may be directly coupled or bonded together.Additionally, the current collectors may include designs includingcombinations of polymer material and conductive materials, such aswithin a matrix.

An exemplary matrix for a current collector may include a polymerdisposed as the matrix material or as part of the matrix material. Thematrix may provide an insulative design that limits or reducesxy-directional conductivity. The polymer matrix may be developed with aconductive material to produce a current collector having particularelectrochemical or composite properties, such as electrical conductivityin the z-direction or through the cell. For example, conductiveparticulate material may be incorporated within the matrix. Theconductive material may include any of the conductive materialspreviously identified. In embodiments, the conductive material mayinclude one or more of silver, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and acarbon-containing material. In this way, the current collector may havea tuned resistivity to provide directional control for electricalconductivity. For example, the produced current collector may beconfigured to provide an in-plane resistivity across a length in thexy-plane, as well as a through-plane resistivity in the z-direction,which is greater than or about 1×10⁻⁴ ohm-m in embodiments.Additionally, exemplary current collectors may have an in-plane andthrough-plane resistivity of between about 1×10⁻³ ohm-m and about 1,000ohm-m. In other embodiments, more conventional electrical distributionmay be employed, where current is transferred along conductive currentcollectors into and out of the cell.

Turning to FIG. 3 is shown a schematic exploded view of a battery 300according to some embodiments of the present technology. Battery 300 maybe or include any of the components, features, or characteristics of anyof the battery cells previously described, and may illustrate additionaldetails of the components described above, as may be incorporated withina battery. The view illustrated may show one possible formation of abattery pack encompassed by the present technology, although any othergeometry may also be produced. Although battery cells may becharacterized by any dimensions according to embodiments of the presenttechnology, in some embodiments the battery cells may be characterizedby greater length and width dimensions relative to a thickness of thebattery cell. For example, in some embodiments, battery cells may becharacterized by a length and/or width of greater than or about 100 mm,and may be characterized by a length and/or width of greater than orabout 200 mm, greater than or about 500 mm, greater than or about 1.0 m,greater than or about 1.5 m, greater than or about 2.0 m, greater thanor about 3.0 m, or more. Additionally, in some embodiments, batterycells may be characterized by a thickness of less than or about 10 mm,and may be characterized by a thickness of less than or about 5 mm, lessthan or about 3 mm, less than or about 2 mm, less than or about 1 mm,less than or about 0.5 mm, less than or about 0.25 mm, less than orabout 0.1 mm, or less. Accordingly, in some embodiments the lengthand/or width dimension may be several orders of magnitude greater thanthe battery cell thickness.

Additionally, current collectors may be or include materialscharacterized by higher resistivity, which may provide an in-planeresistivity that is many orders of magnitude higher than thethrough-cell resistivity, and which may be many orders of magnitudehigher than conventional current collector materials, such as metals. Asexplained above, this may allow a z-directional transmission of currentthrough the constituent battery cells, while limiting or controlling thelateral transmission of current. However, as discussed previously, thismay cause challenges for cell monitoring and cooling operations. Whencell monitoring is performed at a single location in a battery cell, alocal indication of performance may be received, although any imbalanceat a distal region may not be identified. This may cause issues withinthe cell, where a voltage differential across the cell may develop,which can impact operation and long-term capacity of the cell.

To overcome these potential issues, in embodiments of the presenttechnology, fasteners may be included through the active area of thebattery cells. The fasteners, which may interchangeably be calledretaining members or which may include a retaining member as part of thefastener, may extend through channels or apertures defined through thebattery. As described above, the fasteners may provide structuralsupport across the dimensions of the battery, and may also provideaccess to cells for monitoring at a number of locations across thebattery stack.

As shown in the figure, battery 300 may include a housing 305 orenclosure, which may form an internal volume for incorporating aspectsof the battery. Seated within the housing may be a base plate 310, whichmay include a number of fasteners 315 or retaining members extending upfrom the base plate. A first circuit board 320 may be included overlyingthe base plate 310. The circuit board 320 may define a number ofapertures through which each of the fasteners 315 may extend. A batterystack 325 may be disposed overlying the first circuit board 320. Thebattery stack 325 may be electrically coupled with the first circuitboard, which may be operated at a first electrical potential. Thebattery stack 325 may include a number of battery cells, which mayinclude any aspects of the battery cells as described above in someembodiments, including polymeric current collectors, and a configurationto deliver current vertically or through the current collectors to thenext cell, as opposed to laterally, such as via conductive tabs coupledtogether in many conventional batteries.

The battery stack 325 may also define one or more apertures, including aplurality of apertures across the stack. As illustrated, the aperturesmay extend through the active regions of the battery stack, which mayinclude sealed apertures, for example, through each battery cell toprevent shorting through the cell. A second circuit board 330 may bedisposed overlying the battery stack 325, and the battery stack 325 maybe electrically coupled with the circuit board, and operated at a secondelectrical potential, which may be the opposite potential at which thefirst circuit board may be operated. Current may be transferredvertically between the circuit boards, which may be similar to endplates as previously described. Accordingly, instead of joining a numberof conductive tabs of each cell, current may be transferred from onecell to the next at all locations across the active area of the batterycells.

Second circuit board 330 may define a plurality of apertures throughwhich the fasteners may extend. Shown extending from second circuitboard 330 are housings 335 for fasteners 315, which may optionally beincluded in some embodiments as described below. A lid 340 may bedisposed overlying the second circuit board 330. In some embodiments lid340 may include both a compression plate and a lid as may be describedfurther below, and in some embodiments the second circuit board mayoperate as a compression plate, again as further described below. Lid340 may be coupled, such as bolted, bonded, welded, or otherwise coupledin any number of ways with housing 305 about a perimeter of the twocomponents. Fasteners 315 may extend from base plate 310 through lid 340in some embodiments, which may compressibly couple the compressionplate, second circuit board, and/or lid with the base plate.Accordingly, in some embodiments, each of the circuit boards, and anybase plate or compression plate, as well as the battery stack, and/orlid may include axially aligned apertures, which may produce channelsthrough which the fasteners may extend. One or more aspects of thefastener may be conductive in some embodiments of the presenttechnology, and thus in embodiments a seal may be formed in the activeregion of each battery cell of the battery stack about an aperture thatpartially defines the channel through the structure, at each locationwhere an aperture may be formed.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial view of a compression plate 400according to some embodiments of the present technology. Although onlyfour apertures are illustrated, it is to be understood that the platemay be characterized by any geometry, and may include any number ofapertures through the plate. As will be explained further below, thefigure may also be applicable to some circuit boards according to someembodiments of the present technology. As illustrated, the compressionplate may include an uncompressed profile in a region about eachaperture where fasteners may be extended. The profile may include araised surface, such as a protrusion about each aperture. The deflectionfrom a planar profile may be less than or about 200% of a thickness ofthe plate, which may be uniform across the plate in some embodiments.Additionally, the deflection may be less than or about 150% of athickness of the plate, less than or about 100% the thickness of theplate, less than or about 75% the thickness of the plate, less than orabout 50% the thickness of the plate, less than or about 40% thethickness of the plate, less than or about 30% the thickness of theplate, less than or about 25% the thickness of the plate, or less.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic partial view of compression plate 400 accordingto some embodiments of the present technology, and may illustrate thecomponent in a compressed configuration. For example, when fasteners areactuated to load a force on the stack, the deflection about apertures405 may be compensated to produce a planar compression plate, circuitboard, or other component. This may increase a uniformity of compressionacross an entire surface of a battery stack, which may improve swellaccommodation and temperature distribution across the cell. In someembodiments, when the plate is compressed, the configuration may providesubstantially equal pressure on the underlying circuit board, batterystack, or any other component. By substantially may mean within 10% orless of equal pressure across the surface, and may mean less than orabout 9%, less than or about 8%, less than or about 7%, less than orabout 6%, less than or about 5%, less than or about 4%, less than orabout 3%, less than or about 2%, less than or about 1%, or less. Due tothe dimensions of plates according to some embodiments of the presenttechnology, the apertures may be substantially equidistantly locatedfrom one another across a surface of the plate as illustrated.

Additionally, outermost apertures, such as proximate an edge of theplate, may be characterized by a similar or different distance from anedge of the component relative to a distance from an adjacent aperture.For example, if edge 407 were an edge of the component, aperture 405 amay be a different distance from edge 407 than from aperture 405 b oraperture 405 c, which may be equally spaced from aperture 405 a. Fromedge 407, aperture 405 a may be spaced less than 100% the distancebetween apertures across the plate, and may be spaced less than or about80% of the distance, less than or about 60% of the distance, less thanor about 50% of the distance, less than or about 40% of the distance,less than or about 30% of the distance, or less. This may depend on theedge coupling of the overlying component, and whether the edge issecured or not in embodiments of the present technology.

The number of apertures across a plate, and the spacing, may impact thecompression afforded by the configuration. Depending on the lateraldimensions of the battery, as well as the number of battery cellsincluded in the battery stack, the number of fasteners, andcorresponding apertures, may be increased or decreased to ensure aparticular integrity against deformation from an opposing force, whichmay be due to battery cell swelling. For example, the components andintegration may be configured to support and counteract a pressure fromcell swelling that may be greater than or about 5 psi, and may begreater than or about 10 psi, greater than or about 15 psi, greater thanor about 20 psi, greater than or about 25 psi, greater than or about 30psi, greater than or about 35 psi, greater than or about 40 psi, greaterthan or about 45 psi, greater than or about 50 psi, or more, whichacross the dimensions of the cell as described above, may be a totaloutward pressure of over tens of thousands of pounds.

As described previously, conventional technologies that may only includeedge coupling of enclosures may increase the compression plate, circuitboard, or any other component thickness, or reinforce the componentsfurther to accommodate this level of pressure. However, the presenttechnology may utilize the fasteners, which may allow the compressionplate, circuit board, or any other component, to be reduced in thicknesswhile still accommodating pressures as noted above.

The number of fasteners may be increased or decreased to accommodate anynumber of configurations. By increasing the number of fasteners, thethickness of the compression plate or circuit board may be reduced,while still affording a component capable of limiting or preventingdeflection from cell swelling. For example, while some conventionaltechnologies may require a compression plate with only edge coupling tobe up to 10 cm in thickness or more to accommodate the noted pressures,the present technology may significantly reduce the component thicknessby including fasteners. Again, the number of fasteners may be based onthe size of the battery being produced, however, by utilizing fastenersin embodiments, the thickness of the compression plate or circuit boardmay be reduced to less than or about 15 mm, and may be reduced to lessthan or about 10 mm, less than or about 9 mm, less than or about 8 mm,less than or about 7 mm, less than or about 6 mm, less than or about 5mm, less than or about 4 mm, less than or about 3 mm, less than or about2 mm, or less. These compression plates at these thicknesses with thefasteners may be configured to substantially maintain planarity of thecompression plate under an opposing force from cell swelling of any ofthe pressures noted above.

The number of fasteners may impact the volumetric or gravimetric energydensity of batteries produced by the present technology, as increasingthe fasteners and apertures through the cells may reduce the amount ofactive material in the battery. However, even with a few hundredapertures, based on the cell sizes described previously, volumetricenergy density may be maintained at greater than or about 250 Wh/L, withcomponents of the thickness described above, and in some embodimentsvolumetric energy density may be maintained at greater than or about 275Wh/L, greater than or about 300 Wh/L, greater than or about 325 Wh/L,greater than or about 350 Wh/L, greater than or about 375 Wh/L, greaterthan or about 400 Wh/L, greater than or about 425 Wh/L, greater than orabout 450 Wh/L, or higher.

Similarly, because the thickness and corresponding weight of housing andother components may be reduced by incorporating fasteners, gravimetricenergy density for batteries according to embodiments of the presenttechnology may be maintained at greater than or about 50 Wh/kg, and maybe maintained at greater than or about 75 Wh/kg, greater than or about100 Wh/kg, greater than or about 125 Wh/kg, greater than or about 150Wh/kg, greater than or about 175 Wh/kg, greater than or about 200 Wh/kg,greater than or about 225 Wh/kg, greater than or about 250 Wh/kg, orhigher.

Batteries according to some embodiments of the present technology mayinclude a number of configurations utilizing fasteners to accommodateinternal pressure within the battery. FIGS. 6A-6D show schematicillustrations of batteries according to some embodiments of the presenttechnology. The figures illustrate exemplary components andconfigurations as previously described, and may include any feature,component, or configuration as discussed above. The figures mayillustrate cross-sections of one section of batteries includingcomponents as discussed above, although it is to be understood that thebatteries may include much larger configurations as previouslydiscussed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a portion of a battery 605 is shownbetween two adjacent fasteners. The battery may include a base plate607, a first circuit board 609, a battery stack 611, a second circuitboard 613, and a compression plate 615. It is to be understood thatadditional housing and lid structures may be included as previouslydescribed. The figure may illustrate the components prior to compressionwith fasteners 617 extending through the components. FIG. 6A alsoillustrates additional components that may be included in someembodiments of the present technology. For example, a first compliantpad 608 may be positioned between the base plate 607 and the firstcircuit board 609, which may facilitate equal compression across thecircuit board and battery stack as previously described. Similarly, asecond compliant pad 614 may be positioned between the second circuitboard 613 and the compression plate 615, which may also facilitate equalcompression across the components.

Compression plate 615 may be characterized by a profile in theuncompressed state as illustrated and as discussed above. Additionally,in some embodiments, base plate 607 may also be characterized by aprofile in an uncompressed state, which may provide substantially equalpressure on the first circuit board 609 when the fasteners 617 areengaged. Accordingly, in some embodiments either one of the base plateor the compression plate, as well as both, may be characterized by aprofile to support compression and improve uniformity of compressionacross the battery stack. As shown in FIG. 6B, when fasteners 617 areengaged, the profile of the compression plate and/or the base plate maybe made planar or substantially planar, which may provide the batterystack with a controlled thickness and profile that may more uniformlyaccommodate cell swelling across the dimensions of the battery stack.

FIG. 6C illustrates another embodiment in which a battery 620 may notinclude a compression plate, and for which the second circuit board 625may be characterized by a profile as described above. Battery 620 mayinclude any of the other components as described previously for anybattery, and may include any feature, component, or characteristicpreviously described. For example, although any material may be used toproduce the circuit board, in some embodiments the second circuit board625 may be reinforced with any number of materials, such as carbonfiber, nylon, ceramics, or other materials, that may improve structuralintegrity of the component. The board may be formed in a profile asdiscussed above for compression plate 400. Hence, when fasteners 627 areengaged as illustrated in FIG. 6D, second circuit board 625 may becompressed to a planar profile, which may provide equal compensatingforce against the battery stack. This may further reduce the overallbattery thickness in some embodiments by removing the additionalcomponents.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a battery 700according to some embodiments of the present technology. Battery 700 mayinclude any of the components, features, or characteristics of any ofthe batteries or battery cells previously described, and may illustrateadditional details of the components described above, as may beincorporated within a battery according to some embodiments of thepresent technology. For example, battery 700 may include components asdiscussed above to illustrate heat exchange capabilities of the presenttechnology. It is to be understood that although not all components maybe illustrated in this figure for ease of explanation, any of thepreviously noted battery components may be included in battery 700.

Battery 700 may show a base plate 705 that may define a plurality ofchannels 710 formed within the base plate, and which may be configuredto receive a heat exchange fluid. The channels illustrated may beconnected in one or more continuous channels, and may be configured toconduct a cooling fluid, refrigerant, air, or any other fluid that maybe used to remove heat generated during operation of the battery.Battery 700 may also include features as previously described includinga first circuit board 715, a battery stack 720, which may include anynumber of battery cells, and a second circuit board 725. It is to beunderstood that any other previously noted component may similarly beincluded. Although any number of apertures may be formed in thecomponents, the figure illustrates one such aperture through eachcomponent that forms a channel through which a fastener 730 may extend.

Although heat exchangers may be incorporated anywhere with batteriesaccording to some embodiments of the present technology, in someembodiments a heat exchanger may be incorporated within the base plate705, which may allow heat to be removed from the battery stack. However,such an incorporation may produce a temperature gradient through aheight of the battery stack, where battery cells nearer the base platemay be cooler and battery cells further from the base plate, such asnearer the second circuit board 725 may be warmer. Over time, this mayimpact individual cell performance within the battery stack. The presenttechnology may at least partially reduce or remove this gradient byutilizing the fasteners 730 for additional heat transfer. By creating aheat transfer path from the base plate that extends through thefasteners, heat may be removed laterally from the battery stack at eachfastener location before being transferred to the heat exchange fluidthat may be flowed through the base plate channels.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a battery cell800 within a battery according to some embodiments of the presenttechnology. Battery cell 800 may include any of the components,features, or characteristics of any of the battery cells previouslydescribed, and may illustrate additional details of the componentsdescribed above, as may be incorporated within a battery or batterystack according to some or any embodiments of the present technology,including any battery previously described. For example, battery cell800 may illustrate an individual cell included within battery stack 720as described above, or any other stack noted previously, and which mayinclude base plate 705 including channels 710 for delivering heatexchange fluid. It is to be understood that although not all componentsmay be illustrated in this figure for ease of explanation, any of thepreviously noted battery components may be included in battery cell 800.

As illustrated, and as previously described, battery cell 800 mayinclude an anode current collector 805, which may be or include apolymeric material, and which may include an anode active material 810disposed on the anode current collector. The battery cell 800 mayinclude a cathode current collector 815, which may be or include apolymeric material, and which may include a cathode active material 820disposed on the cathode current collector. A separator 825 may bedisposed between the anode active material and the cathode activematerial, and electrolyte 830 may be included within the cell. At edgeregions of the cell as previously described, the cell may be sealed off,or include seals as previously described.

Additionally, a seal 835 may be formed within the active region of thebattery cells at each location where an aperture may be formed toreceive a fastener 840 extending through each cell of the battery stack.The seal may extend as an annulus about each aperture formed to ensurethe cells may remain sealed to prevent leakage or shorting within thecell. Heat exchange may be performed laterally in any number of ways inembodiments of the present technology. For example, heat exchange fluidmay be flowed up and down through channels 845 formed within thefasteners, or the heat exchange fluid may be maintained in discreetchannels within the base plate. To transfer heat to the fasteners, heatconductivity may be improved by including a compression sleeve 850,which may extend about the fastener 840. A thermally conductive potting855 may be disposed on the sealed region of the battery cell and mayextend to the compression sleeve 850 to increase thermal communicationbetween the components. The compression sleeve may be a metal or otherthermally conductive material, which may improve heat transfer from thebattery cell. Either alone or with the fastener 840, the compressionsleeve 850 may transfer heat down to the heat exchange fluid within thebase plate, which may control a temperature within the battery stack.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a battery 900according to some embodiments of the present technology. Battery 900 mayinclude any of the components, features, or characteristics of any ofthe batteries or battery cells previously described, and may illustrateadditional details of the components described above, as may beincorporated within a battery according to some embodiments of thepresent technology. For example, battery 900 may include components asdiscussed above to illustrate heat exchange capabilities of the presenttechnology as well as monitoring capabilities utilizing fastenersaccording to some embodiments of the present technology. It is to beunderstood that although not all components may be illustrated in thisfigure for ease of explanation, any of the previously noted batterycomponents may be included in battery 900.

Battery 900 may include a base plate 905, and may include a firstcircuit board 910 overlying the base plate. The first circuit board maydefine a plurality of apertures through the circuit board as previouslydescribed. A battery stack 915 may be seated overlying the first circuitboard, and which may be electrically coupled with the first circuitboard 910. The battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells aspreviously described, which may include tens or hundreds of batterycells within the stack. The battery stack may define a plurality ofapertures through the active region of the battery stack. Battery 900may include a second circuit board 920 overlying the battery stack 915,and which may be electrically coupled with the battery stack. The secondcircuit board may also define a plurality of apertures through theboard. The apertures of the first circuit board may be axially alignedwith corresponding apertures of the battery stack and the second circuitboard, which may produce channels through the battery. The battery mayhave a lid 925 and/or a compression plate as previously described. Aplurality of fasteners 930 may extend through the channels formed aspreviously described, and may secure the lid and/or compression platewith the base plate.

As described above, the base plate 905 may include a plurality ofchannels 908 that are configured to deliver a heat exchange fluidthrough the base plate. As illustrated, in some embodiments base plate905 may be characterized by a first surface 906 facing the first circuitboard 910, and a second surface 907 opposite the first surface. Theplurality of heat exchange channels may be defined between the firstsurface and the second surface as illustrated. An aperture 912 may beformed through the base plate to receive the fastener 930. In someembodiments the fastener 930 may be maintained fluidly isolated from aheat exchange fluid flowing through the channels. For example, asillustrated, although aperture 912 may fully extend through the baseplate, and channels 908 may extend about the aperture, in someembodiments the aperture may extend through first surface 906, while notextending through second surface 907. Additionally, a channel 908 a maybe formed beneath the fastener, and channel 908 a may extend between thefastener 930 and the second surface 907 of the base plate. Channel 908 amay be characterized by a reduced height relative to the other channels908, which may allow the fluid to flow in close proximity to thefastener for heat transfer, while maintaining the fastener isolated fromflowing heat exchange fluid.

FIG. 9 may also illustrate aspects of monitoring capabilities affordedby some embodiments of the present technology. For example, because eachbattery cell of the battery stack 915 may be sealed about aperturesthrough which fastener 930 may extend, fasteners 930 may includeconductive couplings that can extend to monitoring circuitry that allowsvoltage, temperature, and other monitoring to be performed for eachbattery cell within the battery stack. For example, batteries mayinclude one or more conductive extensions 935 throughout the batterystack, which may electrically couple individual battery cells of thebattery stack with one or more fasteners 930 of the plurality offasteners.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of aspects of a fastener 1000 accordingto some embodiments of the present technology. Fastener 1000 may beincluded as any fastener or retaining member previously described, andmay be included in any battery noted above. The fastener 1000 mayinclude a retaining member that extends through a housing 1005illustrated, such as through a central aperture 1010 extending throughthe housing. Housing 1005 may be an insulative material in someembodiments, and which may include one or more conductive elementsextending through the housing to provide electrical coupling with one ormore cells of the battery stack. For example, one or more conductivepins 1015, including a plurality of conductive pins, may extend throughthe housing 1005. The pins may be accessible at one or more locationsthrough the housing, which may allow electrical coupling with monitoringequipment in some embodiments. For example, the conductive pins 1015 maybe at least partially exposed through the insulative housing along alength of the conductive housing, which may allow the conductive pins tocontact a conductive extension included with cells of the battery stack.The conductive pins may also be accessible at either the top or bottomof the housing as illustrated, to contact or interact with either orboth circuit boards, and which may allow monitoring circuitry to accessthe conductive extension.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of conductive pins 1100 according to someembodiments of the present technology. The conductive pins are includedas one example of conductive pins that may be incorporated withfasteners according to some embodiments of the present technology. Forexample, each housing may include one or more, including any number ofconductive pins distributed about the housing as illustrated previously.Each fastener may include greater than or about two conductive pinswithin the housing, and may include greater than or about threeconductive pins, greater than or about four conductive pins, greaterthan or about five conductive pins, greater than or about six conductivepins, greater than or about seven conductive pins, greater than or abouteight conductive pins, greater than or about nine conductive pins,greater than or about ten conductive pins, or more, in some embodimentsof the present technology. The conductive pins may be distributedcircumferentially about the housing, and may be exposed at a differentheight along the fastener from each other conductive pin of theplurality of conductive pins.

For example, for the exemplary fastener 1000, four conductive pins 1015were disposed about the housing, and each conductive pin was exposedthrough an access defined through the housing. The access size in thehousing may correspond to a protrusion formed on the conductive pin. Forthe four pins included in the example, and understanding any number ofpins may be included, pins 1100 may illustrate the different protrusions1105 formed. Where pin 1100 a may include a protrusion 1105 proximate abottom of the pin, and where pin 1100 d may include a protrusionproximate a top of the pin, pin 1100 b may include a protrusion at aheight above the protrusion of pin 1100 a, and pin 1100 c may include aprotrusion at a height above the protrusion of pin 1100 b and also belowa height of the protrusion of pin 1100 d. This scaled height may alloweach fastener to access every cell within the battery stack, while onlyelectrically coupling with the corresponding cell having a conductiveextension. Such a configuration may facilitate manufacturing where everyfastener may be formed similarly, and incorporated within the stack inany rotational orientation.

The height of the protrusion on each conductive pin that may be exposedthrough the housing may correspond to a thickness of one or more batterycells, such as greater than or about a height equal to a thickness oftwo cells of the battery stack. The height of the protrusion maycorrespond to a number of battery cells within the stack, such as anumber of cells divided by the number of conductive pins included ineach fastener. For example, for a fastener including four pins as shown,and which may be incorporated within a battery stack having 100 batterycells, each protrusion may correspond to a height greater than or equalto a thickness of 25 battery cells.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of aspects of a fastener 1200 accordingto some embodiments of the present technology. Fastener 1200 may includeany of the components previously described, and may be included in anybattery noted above. Fastener 1200 may include any of the features offastener 1000 or any other fastener discussed above. For example,fastener 1200 may include a retaining member 1205 that extends through ahousing 1210 illustrated, such as through a central aperture extendingthrough the housing. Retaining member 1205 may be a shoulder bolt asillustrated, although any fastener, screw, bolt, or coupling member maysimilarly be used in embodiments of the present technology. Housing 1210may be an insulative material in some embodiments, and may include aplurality of conductive pins 1215 extending through the housing 1210.The pins may be accessible at one or more locations through the housing,such as at accesses 1220, which may allow the conductive pins to contacta conductive extension 1225 included with individual cells of thebattery stack. The conductive pins may also be accessible at either thetop or bottom of the housing as illustrated to contact or interact witheither or both circuit boards, and which may allow monitoring circuitryto access the conductive extension.

Conductive extensions 1225 may be configured to accommodate an exposedportion of a pin regardless of the angular orientation. Although anyconductive material may be used, in some embodiments a printed circuitboard having two conductive annular components may be used. For example,conductive extensions 1225 may include an outer annular component 1232,which may electrically couple with the battery cell about the aperture.Additionally, conductive extensions 1225 may include an inner annularcomponent 1234, which may ensure contact with a corresponding pinregardless of the orientation of the fastener. An extension 1235 mayelectrically couple the inner annular component with the outer annularcomponent, which may allow the pin to receive a reading or measurementfrom the corresponding cell.

As discussed above, each conductive pin 1215 may be exposed for a heightthat may be greater than or about a height corresponding to multiplebattery cells. Conductive extensions 1225 may be distributed about theapertures for each cell and each cell may include a conductive extensionat greater than or about two apertures across the cell, which may allowvoltage or other monitoring at multiple locations at each battery cellutilizing at least two or more fasteners, where each fastener may allowmeasurement at one location for multiple cells. The number of cells thatmay be monitored at each position may be equal to the number ofconductive pins through the housing of the fastener. A spacer 1230,which may be insulative, may be included above or below each conductiveextension in some embodiments, which may ensure contact is maintainedbetween the conductive pin and the cell including the conductiveextension.

Thus, based on the number of fasteners and the number of conductive pinsper fastener, each fastener within a particular region of the batterystack may facilitate measurements for a number of cells corresponding tothe number of pins in the fastener. The conductive extensions may beincluded within the region to include contact with each cell, and theheight of the exposed portion of each pin may accommodate a number ofcells within the region. Hence, each fastener may contact multiple cellswithin the stack, and adjacent battery cells having a conductiveextension at different apertures from one another within the region mayeach be contacted by the same pin in two corresponding fasteners. Thismay then be repeated for each additional region to provide monitoringcapabilities for each cell within the battery stack at multiplelocations.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic partial view of aspects of a fastener 1300according to some embodiments of the present technology. Fastener 1300may illustrate an additional embodiment encompassed by the presenttechnology for utilizing the fasteners to conduct cell monitoring indifferent regions of the battery stack. It is to be understood thatfasteners discussed throughout are examples encompassed by the presenttechnology and any number of different configurations for conductivelycontacting batteries may be similarly encompassed by the presenttechnology. Fastener 1300 may include a retaining member 1305, which maybe similar to retaining member 1205, or any other fastener discussedpreviously. Fastener 1300 may also include a stack of printed circuitboards or other materials defining a set of annular conductive pathsvertically through the fastener, as well as a set of annular conductiveextensions coupling with individual cells.

Each circuit board 1310 of the plurality of circuit boards may include anumber of annular conductive aspects electrically separated from oneanother. The corresponding annuluses of each board may be electricallyconnected as illustrated, which may produce a set of annular conductivepaths extending vertically through the fastener and battery stack. Aradially outermost annular conductive path 1315 may couple with acorresponding battery cell and provide electrical coupling with thecell. The number of boards may be equal to the number of cells withinthe battery stack, and the number of cells that may be tested with eachfastener may correspond to the number of inner annular conductive paths1320 formed by the fastener.

Fasteners 1300 may be formed by coupling a set of channel boards with aset of boards including conductive extensions for each inner annularpath through the fastener. FIGS. 14A-14E show schematic views of aspectsof a fastener according to some embodiments of the present technology,and may show the boards included with each fastener. For example, afastener 1400 may include each board illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14E. It isto be understood that fasteners according to embodiments of the presenttechnology may include any number of inner annular rings, which mayallow testing of a corresponding number of cells per fastener. Fastener1400 illustrates an exemplary fastener including four inner annularelements 1405 and an outer annulus 1410, which may electrically couplewith a corresponding battery cell. FIG. 14A illustrates a first boardhaving a conductive trace 1415 a extending from inner annular element1405 a to outer annulus 1410. Although described as annular, on theboard illustrated in FIG. 14A, each other inner element includes a gapto electrically insulate the element from conductive trace 1415 aextending through the board.

Similarly, FIG. 14B illustrates a second board having a conductive trace1415 b extending between a second annular element 1405 b and outerannulus 1410, which may be coupled with a second battery cell. FIG. 14Cillustrates a third board having a conductive trace 1415 c extendingbetween a third annular element 1405 c and outer annulus 1410, which maybe coupled with a third battery cell. FIG. 14D illustrates a fourthboard having a conductive trace 1415 d extending between a fourthannular element 1405 d and outer annulus 1410, which may be coupled witha fourth battery cell. FIG. 14E illustrates one of a set of channelboards, which may not couple any of the other inner annular channels,and thus may provide the annular contact channels, and may provide areturn path for testing received from the particular underlying cellbeing tested through the coupled outer annulus 1410 for each cell. Inbetween each conductive annular element may be an insulative material,which may insulate each path from one another.

These boards may be configured in a pattern to incorporate the boards atdifferent levels with different fasteners, which may allow each batterycell to be tested or monitored in embodiments of the present technology.FIG. 15 shows a partial schematic cross-sectional view of aspects of abattery 1500 according to some embodiments of the present technology.Battery 1500 may include any of the components, features, orcharacteristics of any of the batteries or battery cells previouslydescribed, and may illustrate additional details of the componentsdescribed above, as may be incorporated within a battery according tosome embodiments of the present technology. For example, battery 1500may include components as discussed above to illustrate how fasteners1400 may adjust the location of the set of boards to test individualcells within the stack. It is to be understood that although not allcomponents may be illustrated in this figure for ease of explanation,any of the previously noted battery components may be included withbattery 1500.

Battery 1500 may illustrate two fasteners 1505 as noted above that maybe included through a battery stack 1525. Although the battery stackillustrated includes only eight battery cells, this is to facilitateexplanation, and it is to be understood that batteries according toembodiments of the present technology may include any number of batterycells. Fasteners 1505 may include coupled boards as previouslydescribed, which may provide a set of annular conductive paths throughthe fastener to provide coupling with individual cells within the stack.As shown, fastener 1505 a may include a set of channel boards 1506 a,which may be similar to the boards illustrated in FIG. 14E, and whichproduce the annular conductive paths vertically through the fastener.For example, a first annular conductive path 1510 a, a second annularconductive path 1512 a, a third annular conductive path 1514 a, and afourth annular conductive path 1516 a. The boards 1506 a also include anouter annular element that provides a fifth annular conductive path 1520a, and each outer annular element electrically couples with anindividual battery cell of the stack.

Fastener 1505 a also includes boards as described above that include aconductive trace extending between one of the inner annular elementswith the outer annular path 1520 a, and the corresponding battery cellwithin the stack. For example, similar to the board illustrated in FIG.14A, board 1530 a may include a conductive trace 1538 a coupling firstannular conductive path 1510 a with battery cell 1550. Accordingly,coupling circuitry with path 1510 a allows testing of battery cell 1550at the location where fastener 1505 a extends through the battery cell.Similar to the board illustrated in FIG. 14B, board 1532 a may include aconductive trace 1540 a coupling second annular conductive path 1512 awith battery cell 1552. Accordingly, coupling circuitry with path 1512 aallows testing of battery cell 1552 at the location where fastener 1505a extends through the battery cell. Similar to the board illustrated inFIG. 14C, board 1534 a may include a conductive trace 1542 a couplingthird annular conductive path 1514 a with battery cell 1554.Accordingly, coupling circuitry with path 1514 a allows testing ofbattery cell 1554 at the location where fastener 1505 a extends throughthe battery cell. Similar to the board illustrated in FIG. 14D, board1536 a may include a conductive trace 1544 a coupling second annularconductive path 1516 a with battery cell 1556. Accordingly, couplingcircuitry with path 1516 a allows testing of battery cell 1556 at thelocation where fastener 1505 a extends through the battery cell.

The incorporation of the conductive trace boards may then be adjustedfor each other fastener to allow testing of each other cell within thestack. For example, although fastener 1505 b is illustrated as adjacentfastener 1505 a, it is to be understood that the fastener could beincorporated anywhere else in the battery stack. The boards included inthe fastener may all be the same, but the conductive trace boards may belocated at a different vertical location to afford monitoring ofadditional battery cells. For example, fastener 1505 b may includechannel boards 1506 b included coupled with cells being monitored byfastener 1505 a, along with any other fastener, but may include boardsincluding conductive traces to monitor a different set of battery cells.

Similar to board 1530 a, board 1530 b may include a conductive trace1538 b coupling first annular conductive path 1510 b with battery cell1558 at a corresponding outer annulus 1520 b. Accordingly, couplingcircuitry with path 1510 b allows testing of battery cell 1558 at thelocation where fastener 1505 b extends through the battery cell.Continuing the example, similar to board 1532 a, board 1532 b mayinclude a conductive trace 1540 b coupling second annular conductivepath 1512 b with battery cell 1560. Accordingly, coupling circuitry withpath 1512 b allows testing of battery cell 1560 at the location wherefastener 1505 b extends through the battery cell. Similar to board 1534a, board 1534 b may include a conductive trace 1542 b coupling thirdannular conductive path 1514 b with battery cell 1562. Accordingly,coupling circuitry with path 1514 b allows testing of battery cell 1562at the location where fastener 1505 b extends through the battery cell.Finally, similar to board 1536 a, board 1536 b may include a conductivetrace 1544 b coupling fourth annular conductive path 1516 b with batterycell 1564. Accordingly, coupling circuitry with path 1516 b allowstesting of battery cell 1564 at the location where fastener 1505 bextends through the battery cell. An additional benefit of this couplingmay allow fasteners to monitor adjacent battery cells within a stack.

FIG. 16 shows a partial schematic cross-sectional view of aspects of abattery 1600 according to some embodiments of the present technology.Battery 1600 may include any of the components, features, orcharacteristics of any of the batteries or battery cells previouslydescribed, and may illustrate additional details of the componentsdescribed above, as may be incorporated within a battery according tosome embodiments of the present technology. For example, battery 1600may include components as discussed above to illustrate how fastenersmay be used to test individual cells within the stack. It is to beunderstood that although not all components may be illustrated in thisfigure for ease of explanation, any of the previously noted batterycomponents may be included with battery 1600.

For example, battery 1600 shows a base plate 1605 having a battery stack1610. It is to be understood that a first circuit board may be includedas previously described. Overlying the battery stack 1610 may be asecond circuit board 1615. A plurality of fasteners 1620, which mayinclude any of the fasteners previously described, may extend throughthe components as previously discussed. Second circuit board 1615 mayinclude or be associated with circuitry coupled with each fastener or aset of the fasteners. The circuitry may be configured to receive voltageor other measurements from individual battery cells within the batterystack. The circuitry may include a monitor or chip that may includeconductive traces extending to each fastener, as well as additionalconnections extending to a battery management system. Althoughillustrated with a single trace or wire extending to each fastener, itis to be understood that each fastener may include couplings formultiple wires. For example, fastener 1200 and fastener 1300 may eachhave accommodated four such wires for testing as noted above.

The figure illustrates how a first wire extending from monitor 1625 mayelectrically couple with fastener 1620 a to electrically couple withbattery cell 1630 and receive a voltage or other measurement at thatlocation through cell 1630 using any of the coupling previouslydescribed, or any other coupling that may be used to connect with anindividual cell. Similarly, a second wire extending from monitor 1625may electrically couple with fastener 1620 b to electrically couple withbattery cell 1632 and receive a voltage or other measurement at thatlocation through cell 1632 using any of the coupling previouslydescribed, or any other cell coupling. Accordingly, the presenttechnology may allow measurements to be received from each individualbattery cell from any number of locations through the battery stackutilizing fasteners as discussed throughout the present disclosure.

Battery stacks according to embodiments of the present technology mayinclude a number of battery cells coupled in series to provide aspecific voltage for the battery stack. The present technology may alsoutilize fasteners as previously described to provide parallel couplingof multiple battery stacks incorporated within a battery to provideincreased capacity. FIG. 17 shows a schematic exploded view of a battery1700 according to some embodiments of the present technology. Battery1700 may include any of the components, features, or characteristics ofany of the batteries or battery cells previously described, and mayillustrate additional details of the components described above, as maybe incorporated within a battery according to some embodiments of thepresent technology. For example, battery 1700 may include components asdiscussed above to illustrate how multiple battery stacks may beincorporated in batteries according to some embodiments of the presenttechnology. It is to be understood that although not all components maybe illustrated in this figure for ease of explanation, any of thepreviously noted battery components may be included with battery 1700.

As shown in the figure, battery 1700 may include a housing 1705 orenclosure, which may form an internal volume for incorporating aspectsof the battery. Seated within the housing may be a base plate 1710,which may include a number of fasteners 1715 or retaining membersextending up from the base plate. Base plate 1710 may include any of thefeatures of base plates described previously, including channels for aheat transfer fluid, for example. A first circuit board 1720 may beincluded overlying the base plate 1710. The circuit board 1720 maydefine a number of apertures through which each of the fasteners 1715may extend. The first circuit board may be operatively coupled at afirst electrical potential. A first battery stack 1725 may be disposedoverlying the first circuit board 1720. The first battery stack 1725 maybe electrically coupled with the first circuit board. The first batterystack 1725 may include a number of battery cells, which may include anyaspects of the battery cells as described above.

The first battery stack 1725 may also define one or more apertures,including a plurality of apertures across the stack. As illustrated, theapertures may extend through the active regions of the battery stack,which may include sealed apertures, for example, through each batterycell to prevent shorting through the cell. A second circuit board 1730may be disposed overlying the first battery stack 1725. Second circuitboard 1730 may be operatively coupled at a second electrical potentialopposite the first, and the first battery stack 1725 may be electricallycoupled with the second circuit board. Second circuit board 1730 maydefine a plurality of apertures through which the fasteners may extend.

A second battery stack 1735 may be disposed overlying the second circuitboard 1730, and may be electrically coupled with the second circuitboard. Similar to the first battery stack, second battery stack 1735 mayinclude a plurality of battery cells, and may include the same number ofbattery cells as the first battery stack in some embodiments. Thebattery cells in the first and second battery stacks may include any ofthe features or characteristics of battery cells discussed throughoutthe present technology. The second battery stack may define a pluralityof apertures through an active region of the second battery stack, andeach of these apertures may be axially aligned with the other aperturesto allow fasteners 1715 to extend through the second battery stack aswell. A third circuit board 1740 may be positioned overlying the secondbattery stack 1735. Third circuit board 1740 may be operatively coupledat the first electrical potential, similar to the first circuit board.The third circuit board may define a plurality of apertures through theboard, which may be axially aligned with the other apertures.Accordingly, a set of channels to receive fasteners 1715 may be definedby the plurality of apertures through each of the first circuit board,the first battery stack, the second circuit board, the second batterystack, and the third circuit board.

Shown extending from third circuit board 1740 are housings 1745 forfasteners 1715, which may optionally be included in some embodiments asdescribed previously. A lid 1750 may be disposed overlying the secondcircuit board 1740. In some embodiments lid 1750 may include both acompression plate and a lid as described previously, and in someembodiments the second circuit board may operate as a compression plate,again as described above. Lid 1750 may be coupled with housing 1705about a perimeter of the two components as previously described.Fasteners 1715 may extend from base plate 1710 through lid 1750 in someembodiments, which may compressibly couple the components as discussedabove.

To produce parallel coupling between the first battery stack and thesecond battery stack, fasteners may be used to provide electricalcoupling between a battery cell of the first battery stack and a batterycell of the second battery stack. FIG. 18 shows a schematiccross-sectional view of a battery 1800 according to some embodiments ofthe present technology. Battery 1800 may include any of the components,features, or characteristics of any of the batteries or battery cellspreviously described, and may illustrate additional details of thecomponents described above, as may be incorporated within a batteryaccording to some embodiments of the present technology. For example,battery 1800 may include components as discussed above to illustrate howfasteners may parallel couple battery cells according to someembodiments of the present technology. It is to be understood thatalthough not all components may be illustrated in this figure for easeof explanation, any of the previously noted battery components may beincluded with battery 1800.

For example, battery 1800 may include a first circuit board 1805, afirst battery stack 1810, a second circuit board 1815, a second batterystack 1820, and a third circuit board 1825. Fasteners 1830 as previouslydescribed may extend through each of these components. In someembodiments, the fasteners may provide electrical coupling between oneor more pairs of battery cells between the first battery stack and thesecond battery stack as illustrated. Each fastener may couple a singlebattery cell from the first battery stack with a single battery cellfrom the second battery stack, or may couple more pairs, up to everypair of battery cells between the two battery stacks. Accordingly,through one or more fasteners, each battery cell of the first batterystack may be electrically coupled in parallel with a correspondingbattery cell of the second battery stack.

Any number of electrical couplings may be provided to couple batterycells within batteries according to embodiments of the presenttechnology. FIG. 19 shows a schematic view of aspects of a fastener 1900according to some embodiments of the present technology. Fastener 1900may include any of the components previously described, and may beincluded in any battery noted above. Fastener 1900 may include any ofthe features of fastener 1000 or 1200 or any other fastener discussedabove. For example, fastener 1900 may include a retaining member 1905that extends through a housing 1910 illustrated, such as through acentral aperture extending through the housing. Housing 1910 may be aninsulative material in some embodiments, and may include a plurality ofconductive pins 1915 extending through the housing 1910. The pins may beaccessible at one or more locations through the housing, such as ataccesses 1920, which may allow the conductive pins to contact aconductive extension 1925 included with individual cells of the batterystack. The conductive pins may also be accessible at the top and/orbottom of the housing to contact or interact with any of the circuitboards, and which may allow monitoring circuitry to access theconductive extension.

Conductive extensions 1925 may be similar to conductive extensionsdescribed above, such as extensions 1225, although any conductivecoupling may be used to connect battery cells between the battery stacksin exemplary batteries. Each pin may be partially exposed at twopositions along the housing, which may allow the pin to contact abattery cell in the first battery stack and a corresponding battery cellin the second battery stack as illustrated. The conductive pins may bedistributed about the housing as previously described, and may includeprotrusions extending through the accesses of the housing. FIG. 20 showsa schematic view of conductive pins 2000 according to some embodimentsof the present technology, and which may allow conductive coupling ofbattery cells for parallel operation of battery stacks. As illustrated,each conductive pin may include protrusions at locations correspondingto a cell of the first stack and an associated cell of the second stack.Pins may include protrusions at different heights from other pins toaccess battery cells at different locations within the stacks. Eachfastener may include one or more pins to access particular cells betweenthe two stacks. Although two pins are shown for fastener 1900 coupling,it is to be understood that any number of additional pins may beincluded to couple additional cells between the stacks.

Protrusions 2005 for the pins may be reduced height compared toprotrusions previously described, as protrusions 2005 may be configuredto access a single cell. Each protrusion may be insulated from all but asingle battery cell of the first battery stack and a single battery cellof the second battery stack in embodiments by reducing the exposurethrough the housing and/or including additional insulators as shown. Asillustrated and discussed previously, circuitry may be included with thebattery to perform cell monitoring with the fasteners as previouslydescribed for each battery cell pair between the stacks. By utilizingfasteners and battery components as discussed throughout the presenttechnology, structural advantages may be provided to the battery alongwith a variety of monitoring and coupling capabilities.

In the preceding description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousdetails have been set forth in order to provide an understanding ofvarious embodiments of the present technology. It will be apparent toone skilled in the art, however, that certain embodiments may bepracticed without some of these details, or with additional details.

Having disclosed several embodiments, it will be recognized by those ofskill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of theembodiments. Additionally, a number of well-known processes and elementshave not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent technology. Accordingly, the above description should not betaken as limiting the scope of the technology.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the smallest fraction of the unit of the lowerlimit, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upperand lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Anynarrower range between any stated values or unstated intervening valuesin a stated range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range is encompassed. The upper and lower limits of those smallerranges may independently be included or excluded in the range, and eachrange where either, neither, or both limits are included in the smallerranges is also encompassed within the technology, subject to anyspecifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated rangeincludes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both ofthose included limits are also included. Where multiple values areprovided in a list, any range encompassing or based on any of thosevalues is similarly specifically disclosed.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a material” includes aplurality of such materials, and reference to “the cell” includesreference to one or more cells and equivalents thereof known to thoseskilled in the art, and so forth.

Also, the words “comprise(s)”, “comprising”, “contain(s)”, “containing”,“include(s)”, and “including”, when used in this specification and inthe following claims, are intended to specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, components, or operations, but they do not precludethe presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,components, operations, acts, or groups.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery comprising: a first circuit boarddefining a plurality of apertures through the first circuit board; abattery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupledwith the first circuit board, wherein the battery stack comprises aplurality of battery cells, wherein the battery stack defines aplurality of apertures through an active region of the battery stack,and wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures through thebattery stack is axially aligned with a corresponding aperture throughthe first circuit board; a second circuit board overlying the batterystack and electrically coupled with the battery stack, wherein thesecond circuit board defines a plurality of apertures through the secondcircuit board, wherein each aperture of the plurality of aperturesthrough the second circuit board is axially aligned with a correspondingaperture through the battery stack and the first circuit board to definea plurality of channels through the first circuit board, the batterystack, and the second circuit board; a plurality of fasteners, eachfastener extending through a separate channel of the plurality ofchannels; and a plurality of conductive extensions electrically couplingeach battery cell of the battery stack with one or more fasteners of theplurality of fasteners.
 2. The battery of claim 1, wherein each batterycell of the battery stack comprises: an anode current collectorcomprising a polymeric material, an anode active material disposed onthe anode current collector, a cathode current collector comprising apolymeric material, a cathode active material disposed on the cathodecurrent collector, and a separator disposed between the anode activematerial and the cathode active material.
 3. The battery of claim 1,further comprising: circuitry coupled with the plurality of fastenersand configured to receive voltage measurements from the battery stack.4. The battery of claim 1, wherein each fastener comprises an insulativehousing and a plurality of conductive pins extending through theinsulative housing, each conductive pin of the plurality of conductivepins at least partially exposed through the insulative housing tocontact a conductive extension of the plurality of conductiveextensions.
 5. The battery of claim 4, wherein each battery cell of thebattery stack comprises at least two conductive extensions, eachconductive extension of the at least two conductive extensions couplingthe battery cell with a separate fastener of the plurality of fasteners.6. The battery of claim 4, wherein the plurality of conductive pins aredistributed circumferentially about the insulative housing, and whereineach conductive pin of the plurality of conductive pins is exposed at adifferent height along the fastener from each other conductive pin ofthe plurality of conductive pins.
 7. The battery of claim 4, wherein anamount of each conductive pin of the plurality of conductive pinsexposed through the insulative housing corresponds to a thicknessgreater than or equal to a thickness of two cells of the battery stack.8. The battery of claim 1, wherein each fastener comprises a set ofannular conductive paths extending vertically through the battery stack,wherein a radially outermost annular conductive path couples with eachbattery cell of the battery stack.
 9. The battery of claim 8, whereinthe plurality of conductive extensions comprise conductive tracescoupling the radially outermost annular conductive path with oneradially inward annular conductive path.
 10. The battery of claim 8,wherein each fastener of the plurality of fasteners comprises a set ofprinted circuit boards defining the set of annular conductive paths andthe plurality of conductive extensions.
 11. A battery comprising: afirst circuit board defining a plurality of apertures through the firstcircuit board, wherein the first circuit board is operatively coupled ata first electrical potential; a first battery stack overlying the firstcircuit board and electrically coupled with the first circuit board,wherein the first battery stack comprises a plurality of battery cells,wherein the first battery stack defines a plurality of apertures throughan active region of the first battery stack, and wherein each apertureof the plurality of apertures through the first battery stack is axiallyaligned with a corresponding aperture through the first circuit board; asecond circuit board overlying the first battery stack and electricallycoupled with the first battery stack, wherein the second circuit boarddefines a plurality of apertures through the second circuit board,wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures through the secondcircuit board is axially aligned with a corresponding aperture throughthe first circuit board, and wherein the second circuit board isoperatively coupled at a second electrical potential; a second batterystack overlying the second circuit board and electrically coupled withthe second circuit board, wherein the second battery stack comprises aplurality of battery cells, wherein the second battery stack defines aplurality of apertures through an active region of the second batterystack, and wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures throughthe second battery stack is axially aligned with a correspondingaperture through the first circuit board; a third circuit boardoverlying the second battery stack and electrically coupled with thesecond battery stack, wherein the third circuit board defines aplurality of apertures through the third circuit board, wherein eachaperture of the plurality of apertures through the third circuit boardis axially aligned with a corresponding aperture through the firstcircuit board, wherein the third circuit board is operatively coupled atthe first electrical potential, and wherein a plurality of channels aredefined by the plurality of apertures through each of the first circuitboard, the first battery stack, the second circuit board, the secondbattery stack, and the third circuit board; and a plurality offasteners, each fastener extending through a separate channel of theplurality of channels.
 12. The battery of claim 11, wherein each batterycell of the first battery stack and each battery cell of the secondbattery stack comprises: an anode current collector comprising apolymeric material, an anode active material disposed on the anodecurrent collector, a cathode current collector comprising a polymericmaterial, a cathode active material disposed on the cathode currentcollector, and a separator disposed between the anode active materialand the cathode active material.
 13. The battery of claim 11, whereineach fastener electrically couples a battery cell of the first batterystack with a battery cell of the second battery stack.
 14. The batteryof claim 13, wherein each fastener comprises an insulative housing and aplurality of conductive pins extending through the insulative housing,each conductive pin of the plurality of conductive pins at leastpartially exposed through the insulative housing to provide a conductivecontact.
 15. The battery of claim 14, wherein each conductive pin of theplurality of conductive pins is at least partially exposed through theinsulative housing at a first location adjacent a battery cell of thefirst battery stack and is at least partially exposed through theinsulative housing at a second location adjacent a battery cell of thesecond battery stack.
 16. The battery of claim 14, wherein the firstbattery stack and the second battery stack include an identical numberof battery cells, and wherein each battery cell of the first batterystack is electrically coupled in parallel with a corresponding batterycell of the second battery stack.
 17. The battery of claim 14, whereinthe plurality of conductive pins are distributed circumferentially aboutthe insulative housing, and wherein each conductive pin of the pluralityof conductive pins is exposed at a different height along the fastenerfrom each other conductive pin of the plurality of conductive pins. 18.The battery of claim 14, wherein an amount of each conductive pin of theplurality of conductive pins exposed through the insulative housing iselectrically insulated from all but one battery cell of the firstbattery stack and the second battery stack.
 19. The battery of claim 11,further comprising: circuitry coupled with the plurality of fastenersand configured to receive voltage measurements from the first batterystack.
 20. A battery comprising: a first circuit board defining aplurality of apertures through the first circuit board; a battery stackoverlying the first circuit board and electrically coupled with thefirst circuit board, wherein the battery stack comprises a plurality ofbattery cells, wherein the battery stack defines a plurality ofapertures through an active region of the battery stack, and whereineach aperture of the plurality of apertures through the battery stack isaxially aligned with a corresponding aperture through the first circuitboard; a second circuit board overlying the battery stack andelectrically coupled with the battery stack, wherein the second circuitboard defines a plurality of apertures through the second circuit board,wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures through the secondcircuit board is axially aligned with a corresponding aperture throughthe battery stack and the first circuit board to define a plurality ofchannels through the first circuit board, the battery stack, and thesecond circuit board; a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extendingthrough a separate channel of the plurality of channels, wherein eachfastener comprises an insulative housing and a plurality of conductivepins extending through the insulative housing, each conductive pin ofthe plurality of conductive pins at least partially exposed through theinsulative housing; and a plurality of conductive extensionselectrically coupling each battery cell of the battery stack with one ormore fasteners of the plurality of fasteners.